Proverbs 28

1The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.

1The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.

1The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.

2By the transgression of a land many <FI>are<Fi> its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right--it is prolonged.

2Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.

2For the sins of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the prince shall be prolonged.

3A man--poor and oppressing the weak, <FI>Is<Fi> a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.

3A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.

3A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine.

4Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.

4Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.

4They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.

5Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.

5Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.

5Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.

6Better <FI>is<Fi> the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.

6Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.

6Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.

7Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.

7He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.

7He that keepeth the law, is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.

8Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.

8He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.

8He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.

9Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer <FI>is<Fi> an abomination.

9As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.

9He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination.

10Whoso is causing the upright to err in an evil way, Into his own pit he doth fall, And the perfect do inherit good.

10Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.

10He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.

11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.

11The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.

11The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out.

12In the exulting of the righteous the glory <FI>is<Fi> abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.

12When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.

12In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined.

13Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.

13He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.

13He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.

14O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.

14Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.

14Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind shall fall into evil.

15A growling lion, and a ranging bear, <FI>Is<Fi> the wicked ruler over a poor people.

15Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.

15As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.

16A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.

16The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.

16A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.

17A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.

17One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.

17A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.

18Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.

18He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.

18He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways, shall fall at once.

19Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied <FI>with<Fi> bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled <FI>with<Fi> poverty.

19By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.

19He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness, shall be filled with poverty.

20A stedfast man hath multiplied blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not acquitted.

20A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.

20A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.

21To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.

21It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.

21He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.

22Troubled for wealth <FI>is<Fi> the man <FI>with<Fi> an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.

22He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.

22A man that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.

23Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.

23He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.

23He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.

24Whoso is robbing his father, or his mother, And is saying, `It is not transgression,' A companion he is to a destroyer.

24He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.

24He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.

25Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.

25He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.

25He that boasteth and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.

26Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.

26He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.

26He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.

27Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.

27He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.

27He that giveth to the poor shall not want: he that despiseth his entreaty, shall suffer indigence.

28In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!

28When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.

28When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the just shall be multiplied.